Trona Pinnacles - An Otherworldly Stop Near Death Valley
Hi friends! Last week we took a weekend road trip to Death Valley to kayak on Badwater Basin’s temporary & ancient Lake Manly, and on our way home we made a stop at a truly unique and geological wonder. Join me today as we explore the otherworldly Trona Pinnacles in the California Desert Conservation Area just outside of Death Valley National Park.
Unique rock formations at Trona Pinnacles
Location
Located in the Searles Dry Lake basin about a half hour east of Ridgecrest, CA and an hour south of the Panamint Valley entrance to the national park, Trona Pinnacles makes for the perfect add-on to any Death Valley road trip from Los Angeles. Just south of the town of Trona you’ll find a clearly marked turnoff with signs placed by the Bureau of Land Management along SR-178. The road from here is all dirt & gravel, and it can be quite sketchy if you don’t have a high clearance vehicle. Four wheel drive is not necessary on this entrance road, but I would be hesitant to bring a low clearance sedan on this road. The Kia Sorento we had last weekend handled it without any issues. This access road can be muddy in areas and will even close as a result of weather at times, especially during the winter months.
Trona Pinnacles California Desert Conservation Area
Geological Wonder
Rising from the remnants of an ancient lakebed, the Trona Pinnacles stand as a testament to the ancient geological wonders found in the heart of the California Desert. This distinctive landscape boasts more than 500 tufa spires, crafted from calcium carbonate, scattered across a vast 14 square mile expanse within the Searles Lake basin. Ranging from petite, coral-like formations to towering spires that reach heights exceeding 140 feet, each pinnacle tells a story of time and transformation. These formations took shape thousands of years ago during a period when the now-dry Searles Lake played a pivotal role as part of a network of lakes stretching from Owens Valley to Death Valley. It's a testament to the ebb and flow of nature's enduring beauty and power.
Desert wildflower superbloom at Trona Pinnacles
Visiting Trona Pinnacles
Just a 3 hour drive from Los Angeles and 4 hours from Las Vegas, you can plan a short pit stop to stretch your legs here as part of a Death Valley day trip, or plan an overnight camping trip to see the stars! The Trona Pinnacles offer a mesmerizing backdrop for adventure and exploration. Photographers, nature enthusiasts, hikers, and off-roaders will all be spellbound by the rugged beauty of the tufa formations found here.
Wildflowers at Trona Pinnacles
Desert Wildflowers
Trona Pinnacles might not be well known for wildflower superblooms, but when this desert landscape gets abundant winter precipitation, the landscape can fill with vibrant colors in the early Spring. Currently the middle pinnacles walking loop is lined with striking yellow Desert Gold (Geraea canescens) blooms and rich purple hues of Desert Sand Verbena (Abronia Villosa). While it’s still too early in the season to tell if we will get a true “superbloom” here this Spring, the current wildflower conditions are already lovely and worthy of a visit in my opinion. Most years the wildflowers peak in March/April in California’s Mojave Desert and only last for a few weeks before the warm dry weather causes them to fade for the season.
Kia Sorento at Trona Pinnacles with desert wildflowers
Hiking through unique rock formations at Trona Pinnacles
Hiking & OHV Trails
Hiking is one of the most popular activities here. My favorite trail is the easy self-guided walking trail that loops through the Middle Group of Trona Pinnacles for up-close views of many incredible tufa formations. This hike comes in at just under one mile with less than 100 feet in elevation gain, and it’s perfect for anyone who only has an hour or two to explore.
Another wildly popular activity here is adventuring off-road. Trona Pinnacles boasts a vast network of OHV trails perfect for those who want to test their driving skills traversing the rugged terrain found here. These trails wind through a unique landscape of towering tufa formations, creating a surreal backdrop for off-roading. With varying levels of difficulty, visitors can navigate challenging rocky terrain or opt for more leisurely routes to explore the ancient geological wonders of the area. The remote and otherworldly setting of Trona Pinnacles provides a one-of-a-kind off-road experience for those seeking to escape into nature's raw beauty and test their skills behind the wheel.
BLM camping at Trona Pinnacles
Camping
If you’re interested in extending your visit here, free dispersed camping is allowed throughout the area. Trona Pinnacles is in the California Desert Conservation Area managed by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), which allows free dispersed camping for up to 14 days. If you do decide to camp here, plan on being completely self sufficient as there are no facilities whatsoever (no potable water, no cell reception, etc.). Remember the Leave No Trace Principles, packing in/packing out, staying on designated roads, and camping on durable surfaces.
Rock spire with off roading at Trona Pinnacles
Trona Pinnacles in Movies
It should come as no surprise that this otherworldly area has long been a popular place for Hollywood to come and create movie magic. The tufas here have been the backdrop for dozens of blockbuster movies, including Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Dinosaur, and the 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes. Trona is also often used in music videos (Rihanna filmed her “Sledgehammer” music video here) and countless commercials have taken advantage of the towering spires (notable ads include Charlize Theron for Christian Dior and the 2023 Squarespace Superbowl commercial featuring Adam Driver).
Trona Pinnacles near Death Valley National Park
Know Before You Go
• Please remember the Leave No Trace Principles so this park’s natural beauty can be enjoyed for years to come.
• Pack out all trash. There are no trash services...even natural items like orange peels take years to decompose here.
• Free dispersed camping is allowed for up to 14 days.
• Summer months can often reach up to 110 degrees F. Plan ahead with knowledgable navigation and bring plenty of water/sun protection, even for short visits. Nights can get chilly so bring layers (and sturdy hiking footwear).
• Trona Pinnacles is accessible for most 2WD vehicles to the main parking lot, but AWD or 4WD with average SUV clearance is highly recommended beyond that point.
The 5.0-mile long dirt road from SR-178 to the pinnacles is usually accessible to 2-wheel drive vehicles, however, the road may be closed during the winter months after a heavy rain. I personally would hesitate to drive low clearance sedans on this road.
• No potable water, cell coverage or services are located/available here. Only one vault toilet can be found here near the middle group main parking area.
• Dogs are allowed here, but must remain leashed at all times.
• The closest established city is Ridgecrest, which is about 20 miles west of Trona Pinnacles. The Tis General Store and Gas Station is located in the small town of Trona about 6 miles north of the Pinnacles Entrance.
Top 10 Califoria Desert Road Trips
Trona Pinnacles
Alabama Hills
Mojave National Preserve
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Palm Springs
Hiking among tufa formations at Trona Pinnacles
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week at Trona Pinnacles near Death Valley National Park. For a virtual visit of this California Desert Conservation Area, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Trona Pinnacles National Natural Landmark
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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Can you kayak in Death Valley? Yes! Currently the National Park Service is allowing park visitors to take kayaks and stand up paddle boards onto the historic Lake Manly, the ancient lake that has reappeared at Badwater Basin. Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for all the info you need to plan your kayaking adventure to Death Valley National Park, a perfect road trip from Los Angeles.